I pick up a pair of 93 hpd30 4.10 / 98 ford 8.8 4.10 LSD last weekend. thinking of rebuilding them up to spec. I am a very light wheeler so I probably won't do the truss...

Already "upgrade" my steering with zj tie rod and I won't seat over 3 inches so I probably won't consider wj steering swap.

here is my plan:

front axle:
- 93 D30 with my current 2001 steering knuckle, and anything else after the knuckle.
- reuse my 2001 front drive shaft with new 760 u-joint
- new ball joints
- reuse my current front axle shaft

rear axle:
- rebuild the LSD with carbon disc
- ruffstuff 8.8 kit
- new inner seal
- weld the tube to the pumpkin


Does it do anything if I do weld the tube to the pumpkin for the front too? Anything else I should do while i am there?

Now would be a good time for a locker (or lockers) if you have the need for them.

I'd throw away the LSD and put a locker in it instead. Now would be a good time for a front locker too.

There is a $$$ restriction, so selectable locker is out of question

It will be a mall crawler pavement pounder 95% if its time. And 50% of its life will be in Michigan winter where we really have no budget to shavel. Lunchbox/autolocker make me worry when driving down curvey icy snow road.

I pick this combo mostly because it's the cheapest way to regear 4.10. Which turn out probably not true...

In that case, sounds like you have a decent plan. I'd replace all the axle seals though, while you've got them apart. You dont want to be tearing the axles back apart in a few months to change them.
And since I'm assuming you have an 01, you may have some clearance issues with the driveshaft and the exhaust, swapping to a HP axle.

Replace the axle shaft u-joints, replace the upper bushings on the front axle, and do all seals. Welding tubes on the front axle is not required.

good call on the seals and bushings.

more $$$ on top of the build. that said those are peanuts compared to a set of ball joints.

For now my concern is to remove scraps from the HPD30. po cut everything off with a torch and all bolts are frozen....

If all it is a "Mall Crawler" and a DD why bother with a swap at all surely not just for the gears. Neither of those are doing anything for a DD that makes the swap worthwhile, both are for off road use really.


All you need are a few upgrades on what you have now.

for that remaining 5%